Words of Welcome and Introduction

Hymn

Christ is made the sure foundation,Christ the head and cornerstone,chosen of the Lord, and precious,binding all the Church in one,holy Sion’s help for ever,And her confidence alone.

All that dedicated city,dearly loved of God on high,in exultant jubilation,pours perpetual melody,God the One in Three adoringin glad hymns eternally.

To this temple, where we gather,come, O Lord of Hosts, today;with thy wonted loving-kindness,hear thy servants as they pray,and thy fullest benedictionshed within its walls alway.

Laud and honour to the Father,laud and honour to the Son,laud and honour to the Spirit,ever Three and ever One,consubstantial, co-eternal,while unending ages run.

Prayers of Penitence

In baptism we died with Christ,so that as Christ was raised from the dead,we might walk in newness of life.Let us receive new life in himas we confess our sins in penitence and faith.

cf Romans 6.4

We have lived by our own strength,and not by the power of your resurrection.

In your mercy, forgive us.

Lord, hear us and help us.

We have lived by the light of our own eyes,

as faithless and not believing.

In your mercy, forgive us.

Lord, hear us and help us.

We have lived for this world alone,and doubted our home in heaven.

In your mercy, forgive us.

Lord, hear us and help us.

May the Father of all merciescleanse us from our sins,and restore us in his imageto the praise and glory of his name,through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Collect

(for The Fifth Sunday of Easter)

Let us pray.

Risen Christ,your wounds declare your love for the worldand the wonder of your risen life:give us compassion and courageto risk ourselves for those we serve,to the glory of God the Father.

Amen.

Reading(s) from the Bible

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.

Standing before the high priest and the council, Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ‘Look,’ he said, ‘I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!’

But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.

While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’

Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he died.

Acts 7: 55-end

This is the Word of the Lord

Thanks be to God.

Hymn

Through all the changing scenes of life,in trouble and in joy,the praises of my God shall stillmy heart and tongue employ.

O magnify the Lord with me,with me exalt his name;when in distress to him I called,he to my rescue came.

The hosts of God encamp aroundthe dwellings of the just;deliv’rance he affords to allwho on his succour trust.

O make but trial of his love;experience will decidehow blest are they, and only they,who in his truth confide.

Fear him, ye saints, and you will thenhave nothing else to fear;make you his service your delight;your wants shall be his care.

To Father, Son and Holy Ghost,the God whom we adore,be glory as it was, is now,and shall be evermore.

Gospel

Alleluia, alleluia.

Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life.

Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’

John 6.40

Alleluia.

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.

Glory to you, O Lord.

‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling-places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.’

Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.’

Philip said to him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say “Show us the Father”? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves.

Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. if in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.’

John 14.1-14

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon

An Easter Acclamation

Our Lord Jesus Christ, risen from death,we praise you for changed lives and new hopes at Easter.

You come to Mary in the garden,and turn her tears into joy.

For your love and mercy we give you thanks:

we praise your holy name.

You come to the disciples in the upper room,and turn their fear into courage.

For your love and mercy we give you thanks:

we praise your holy name.

You come to the disciples by the lakeside,and turn their failure into faith.

For your love and mercy we give you thanks:

we praise your holy name.

You come to the disciples on the Emmaus road,and turn their despair into hope.

For your love and mercy we give you thanks:

we praise your holy name.

You come to your people now,and turn our weakness into triumph.

For your love and mercy we give you thanks:

we praise your holy name.

Alleluia. Christ has been raised from the dead.

1 Corinthians 15.20

The peace of the risen Lord be always with you.

And also with you.

Hymn

I danced in the morningwhen the world was begun,and I danced in the moonand the stars and the sun,and I came down from heavenand I danced on the earth;at Bethlehem I had my birth.

(Refrain)

Dance, then, wherever you may be;I am the Lord of the Dance, said he,and I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be,and I’ll lead you all in the dance, said he.

I danced for the scribeand the pharisee,but they would not danceand they wouldn’t follow me;I danced for the fishermen,for James and John;they came with meand the dance went on.

Dance, then, wherever you may be…

I danced on the Sabbathand I cured the lame:the holy peoplesaid it was a shame.They whipped and they strippedand they hung me high,and they left me thereon a cross to die.

Dance, then, wherever you may be…

I danced on a Fridaywhen the sky turned black;it’s hard to dancewith the devil on your back.They buried my bodyand they thought I’d gone;but I am the danceand I still go on.

Dance, then, wherever you may be…

They cut me downand I leapt up high;I am the lifethat’ll never, never die;I’ll live in youif you’ll live in me:I am the Lordof the Dance, said he.

Dance, then, wherever you may be…

Prayers of intercession

Written by Judith Waddington

Merciful Lord as you comforted your disciples, we pray that you comfort all your people at this time of greatest need.

We continue to pray for all affected by Covid 19. For doctors, nurses, and all hospital staff, for all working in care homes and for ambulance personnel. For shop workers, delivery drivers, postal staff and workers keeping our bins emptied. For all who are serving others in any capacity especially those who are known only to you.

Lord in your mercy – hear our prayer

We thank you Lord for families and friends supporting each other in any way, for modern technology keeping us in contact. That during these exceptional times – heroes are being made out of ordinary people.

Lord in your mercy – hear prayer

We pray for all who are suffering in mind or spirit. Many small businesses face an uncertain future. Give strength to all who work in this sector, that a recovery can be made; that a positive future can be faced.

Lord in your mercy – hear our prayer

Give comfort dearest Lord to all who’s important plans have had to be cancelled. Weddings, and special birthdays or anniversaries. Family parties and important occasions. Give us hope that these will soon be able to take place.

Lord in your mercy – hear our prayer

We pray for all who are suffering from Covid 19. They will be afraid Lord and need your comfort to regain their health and strength.

Lord in your mercy – hear our prayer

We pray for the safety of her Majesty The Queen and for her Government – that a strong team can make plans for the future of the country.

We pray for the work of ‘Saves Lives’ and other organisations working to end domestic abuse. For those suffering abuse; give them strength to ask for help. We pray particularly for the children living in a home where there is domestic violence even against themselves. For local children who are living in poverty, for the food banks that are trying to see to their needs at this dreadful time.

Lord in your mercy – hear our prayer

We ask support for all feeling the strain of living confined lives. We pray for ourselves, our families and friends and for the residents of Hollyshaw Grove.

Together with any others known to us for whom we pray in a moment of silence –

Lord in your mercy – hear our prayer

Heavenly Father help all who suffer the loss of a loved one. You know their heavy heart. Your people have had to find a new way of mourning, a new way of coping with their grief. Give them the strength to ask for help and not bear this alone. We pray for all who have died and mention by name those known to us

Paul David WardMarjorie YoungGeorge Abdy

And we pray for those whose anniversary of death falls at this time including

Joan HellyMark Dean Johnson

Lord in your mercy – hear our prayer

United with the whole Church across the world, let us pray with confidence using the words our Saviour taught us:

Our Father, who art in heaven,hallowed be thy name;thy kingdom come;thy will be done;on earth as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread.And forgive us our trespasses,as we forgive those who trespass against us.And lead us not into temptation;but deliver us from evil.For thine is the kingdom,the power and the glory,for ever and ever.

Amen.

Hymn

Christ is our cornerstone,on him alone we build;with his true saints alonethe courts of heav’n are filled:on his great loveour hopes we placeof present graceand joys above.

O then with hymns of praisethese hallowed courts shall ring;our voices we will raisethe Three in One to sing;and thus proclaimin joyful song,both loud and long,that glorious name.

Here may we gain from heav’nthe grace which we implore;and may that grace, once giv’n,be with us evermore;until that daywhen all the blestto endless restare called away.

Closing Prayer, Responses and Blessing

Eternal God, whose Son Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life: grant us to walk in his way, to rejoice in his truth, and to share his risen life; who is alive and reigns, now and for ever.

Amen.

Alleluia. Christ is risen.

He is risen indeed. Alleluia.

Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

He has given us new life and hope.

He has raised Jesus from the dead.

God has claimed us as his own.

He has brought us out of darkness.

He has made us light to the world.

Alleluia. Christ is risen.

He is risen indeed. Alleluia.

The Blessing

May Christ,who out of defeat brings new hope and a new future,fill you with his new life;and the blessing of God Almightythe Father, the Son and the Holy Spiritrest upon you, your homes and those whom you lovethis day and always.

Amen.

With the power that raised Jesus from the dead at work within you, go in the peace of Christ. Alleluia, alleluia.

Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.

Please join us for a drink and a chat after the service in our virtual meeting space.